Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Lady Luck loves me!

Guess who just won Katye's BIC Bands giveaway??? ME!!! Thanks again Katye for hosting a great giveaway.

For anyone who's interested, she still has another giveaway open. It's a Running Skirts giveaway. Click on over and check it out!

Also....Run, Zoe, Run is hosting another giveaway. This one is great! It's for a Road ID. I won a Road ID from Katye last year and have worn it on every run since. I even bullied my Husband into buying one. So, I didn't enter this one for myself. But I did enter for a special someone :) So I better win this one for her!


***OOOHHH! AND! The BIGGEST giveaway I've ever entered! Skinny Runner has a huge prize to give away to one lucky winner. Over $400 worth of swag! The only thing you need to do is vote for Marlie & Matt to win the Ultimate Wedding contest on Crate & Barrell's website.

Only a few more posts left until I attempts to host a giveaway of my very own! :)

Monday, March 28, 2011

Giveaway News!

If you haven't already.....check out my Penguin in the Park race recap HERE! (I totally rocked it thanks to some extra motivation from Sister)

Also, Katye is still hosting some awesome reader appreciation giveaways.

Check out the BIC Bands giveaway HERE!

and

Check out the latest, Running Skirts giveaway HERE!

I'm bound to win at least one of these things right?!?! Where is Lady Luck when I need her? :)

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Penguin in the Park 5K

Saturday started early for Sister and I. Her friend met us at her apartment at 6:45 am. She came with to cheer us on and be Bentley's handler for the morning. One of these days I'll find a race that allows dogs! He'd love it!

After we found our way to Decatur it was still pretty chilly out. Packets picked up, chips strapped on, t-shirt inspected....we were ready!

Sister asked me for my fastest 5k time (29:15). Her response, "Great! That means that today we'll run it in 28." My response, "Ha! Good luck!" I didn't feel like I was in the shape to run that. I was channeling some serious speed when I ran that in October. Didn't think I'd make it that fast today.


Us in our "custom made" Sister Penguin 2011 shirts :)
"My Penguin Waddles Faster Than Your Penguin!"

When the gun sounded we were jostled a little because there were so many people. Organizers say that it was a record turn out. Sister and I took off. I was feeling good so I didn't do my normal slow down at the beginning to conserve energy. We kept pushing it until mile 2 .5 when I started to slow down. I really felt like I was dragging at this point. Thanks to Sister, I was able to pull through. When we came over the last hill I was so happy to see the finish line that I pulled out some serious speed. Sister and I finished together and both took 6th place in our age groups. My official time was 28:00.4!!!!! Ah! I couldn't believe it! I was screaming and shouting so much as I crossed the finish line that the photos are goofy :)


Check out our serious speed!!!
The Blur Sisters :)

Overall, it was an awesome race! I was so happy that I could run it with Sister and even happier to PR by so much!!!


Happy Penguins :)

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Sweet Penguins!

Sister and I just had an awesome race :) She kept asking me what my best time was and then told me how we're going to be at least one minute faster. We ran at a 9:20ish pace the whole way. I lagged a bit at the end, but over all I felt great!!!

Our official time was somewhere around 28:00!!! Can you believe it?!?!?!

Full recap coming when I get home :)

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Smooth 4 miles

Husband and I met for a quick 4 miles after work today. I had brought my running clothes to school with me and did a quick change after I shoo'd those kiddos out the door! 3 people stopped me to ask me if I was running. They also commented on my great choice of colors :)

We have run this path before, but we usually start at a local high school and run toward the park. However, school was still in session and we couldn't park there until much later. So we decided to park at the park and run toward the high school. It was nice. Gentle hills, nothing too steep. We were able to chat and kept a great pace together. I love him!!!

I'm going to start cleaning my house in a few moments. I'm having people over after work and don't want to show them a crappy house. After they leave I'm heading to visit my sister with Mr. Bentley. Our first race is on Saturday!!! Yay!

And then it's time for Spring Break!!!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Word Vomit

For lack of anything better to write about here's a list:

1. My ITB doesn't hurt today. Sadly it's back to high 30's for the temp :( I'm a wimp these days.

2. Saw Rango with Husband after school. So funny! Go see it.

3. Watched 4 of my students give speeches today during our elementary forensics competition. One of my girls has down syndrome and she has a lot of difficulty with physically speaking. However, with the help of her classroom aide, she was able to give a quick speech about her dog. It was wonderful to watch!

4. Just watched my cat dive-bomb my dog's head. She's now sitting astride his neck and smacking him in the teeth while he gnaws back at her. It's interesting to watch.

5. Husband is watching the episode of Top Shot he recorded. They are doing trick shots tonight. The elimination round involved the contestants being suspended upside down and shooting at glass bottles. It's an interesting show on the History channel. I'm a bigger fan of American Pickers and Pawn Stars myself :)

6. Only two more days until Spring Break. I need this.

7. I'm taking Bentley with to visit my sister this weekend. She and her roommates requested that he visit, even though I'm pretty sure they can't have pets at their apartment. Oh well. Almost 100lbs of copper fur is cuddling with someone on Friday night and it won't be me :)

8. Spoke to a telemarketer from Sprint today and pretty much told her to shove it. It felt good. I've never done that before. I was surprised with how easy it was to be rude and pissed off to someone with an impossible-to-understand accent who was trying to sell me more stuff I can't pay for. Hopefully this doesn't become a trend :(

9. My first race of 2011 is this weekend. Sister and I are doing the Penguin in the Park 5k. Sadly Bentley won't be running with us. But rumor has it that a roommate is coming to walk him on the "sidelines" while we run. Yay for puppy cheerleaders!

10. Katye is having a Reader Appreciation week! She did a Lock Laces giveaway the other day and today she's posting a BIC Bands giveaway! I'm a recent fan of BIC Bands thanks to Katye. Come to think of it, everything I'm a fan of is thanks to Katye. Sad I couldn't meet her in Chicago last summer, but maybe some day!

11. Husband bought me ice cream. I like it when he does that.

12. I'm avoiding cleaning my house.

13. I'm resisting the urge to spend hundreds of dollars on running merchandise right now. I want/need compression socks. Anyone know a great place to get them from? I also want new shoes just because.

14. I'm broke. (not because I spent it on running stuff, because I haven't. But just because I am.)

15. Now we're watching the Blackhawks hockey game. Hossa just got a penalty. I love hockey!

16. I'm done listing now :)

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Why I'm not running today

Is it because it's been raining since last night?

Is it because I have *pounds* of school work to do?

Yea.....and because for the past few days my ITB has been sending me a message.

This morning I heard it loud and clear and it was saying "OUCH!!!!!"

I've been stretching after every run. Taking ice baths when needed. I even bought a foam roller! Thanks to a few internet videos I've figured out how to use that sucker. All of this seems to be making things worse.

I ouch and it ain't pretty :(

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Spring

Spring his here!!!

Too bad it's raining here or I'd be out for 6 miles right now. Boo!

Husband and I had a great 6 mile run on Friday. The best part was the end. We kept an easy 10:30 average pace the whole time so I had some "kick" left in me. I was able to stride out in front of him and beat him to our "finish line"!!!!

First Time Ever!!!

This coming Saturday I'm heading down to visit SissyPants so we can run our first race of the year together. This will be a quick 5K before we go apartment hunting for her. Should be fun. I'm feeling good.

Hey! Look what I did today!Happy Running!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Hills and Stuff

Sunday was Long Run day. With Husband out of town that meant that I was long-runnin' on my own :( That's how it usually ends up anyway.....he's too tall for me to keep up with for any long distance :(

Anyway.....I was bored with running around here and I've established a 2-week running ban on The Trail because it is still covered in snow......so, I mapped out a route through our old neighborhood. Gosh I miss that place! There's a great bike path that meets up with a path that runs through a state park.

Once I made it to the park, there were some killer hills! I slow trudged them all :( But I made it the whole 8-miles. There was an actual toilet about half-way through :) And I used my camelbak which helped keep me hydrated! Plus I raided the GU supply at Dick's Supporting Goods in anticipation of winning Run, Zoe, Run's GU Giveaway! I felt totally awesome, even though I was slow.

Today I had 3 miles on the schedule. Bentley and I stomped out these miles in just over 30 minutes. It was great! I felt pleasantly winded when I was done. He also seemed a tired.

**Giveaway Reminders***

So my I giveaway luck seems to be running low, but I'm going to keep trying!

Remember Run, Zoe, Run is hosting a mega GU Giveaway!

Also, I Have Run is hosting a 2Toms product giveaway! This stuff helps protect your skin from chaffing and blisters even better than Glide. Click on over and check it out.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Angry Runs

Apparently anger is my new running fuel. Who knew?

Why so angry? School. Home. Life. Etc. That's why.

However, this focused anger seems to have made for two awesome runs this week.

Wednesday: 3 miles on the treadmill at the gym because of it being too cold and damp for my wimpy butt to run outside. Time: 29:43! Oh yea!

Today: 6 miles on the not-as-sloppy trail. There was a good mile there that was still covered in snow and made running darn near impossible. I'm lucky I didn't sprain an ankle or tear something! But Bentley and I made it in 1:06:18. Not bad considering we both needed bathroom breaks :)

And....

OOOOOH!!!! Giveaways!!!!

Run, Zoe, Run is hosting a GU giveaway! I'm a huge GU fan. Partially because most flavors are Gluten Free (a necessity in my celiac-world) and mostly because they are delicious! The Chomps! are my favorites because I'm too chicken to try the gels. But I guess I'm going to have to if I win this giveaway :)

I didn't win the sleeves, but 5 Miles Past Empty is still hosting the CEP Compression Socks giveaway! I really need a pair of these. I'm going to use the coupon she has posted to order a pair for Husband and I and hope that I win a pair in the process :)

Happy Running!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Whoops!

If you read my Bandwagon ABC's post you may have noticed that I forgot letter Q: quote from a movie. When I came to it I drew a blank in my mind. If you ask my husband, he'll tell you that I'm no a very original person. I would constantly send him quotes from movies and songs while we were dating. He kinda got annoyed ;)

So.....what I'm saying is.....how the heck did I miss Q?!?!?! I should have been bursting at the seems with them! But no. I blanked.

I want to make up for that now. 'Cause I know you've all been dying for these ;)

Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban: "The spider! They want me to tap-dance!" ~Ron

Lilo and Stitch: "Ohana means family! And family means no one gets left behind or forgotten!" ~Lilo

Short Circuit: "Hey lazerlips! Your mamma was a snowblower!" ~Number 5

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs: "Come on Steve, we have diem to carpe." ~Flint

Gone with the Wind: "No, I don't think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That's what's wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how." ~Rhett Butler

Ok.....I can't focus enough to quote anymore. So, I'll leave you with that.

Also....I just kicked butt at the gym today. 3 miles were scheduled and the weather was cold and damp. I was too pissed off after school to work up the effort to run outside. So, I focused my anger and pounded out 3 miles in 29:43 minutes! yay!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

New Blogs and New Giveaways

I like finding new perspectives on running and thanks to Katye's Sunday Funday post I found a few new blogs to follow.....and a few giveaways to enter!

5 Miles Past Empty is hosting a CEP giveaway. If you are my husband or my sister you have heard me whine about needing compression socks for the past two weeks. This would be awesome if I won :) If I don't....and sister I'm talking to you......I really want a pair for my birthday :)

I Have Run is hosting an Ink N Burn arm sleeves giveaway. I have debated getting a pair of these for the Green Bay Half in May. Things will be chilly to start and I know I'll heat up by the end. I don't want to waste anything by "tossing" it so sleeves just sounded cool. Winning these would be great!

Click on over to check these out! Only a few posts left until I reach 200 and host a giveaway of my very own :)

PS.....my 7 miles went well. Check my Daily Mile side box for an update.

Reflections

This morning I slept late and woke up worried about my "long run." I'm supposed to do 7 miles today. Lately I haven't made it through an entire run without walking (or being attacked by the Brown Monster).

I feel low and slow.

My feelings didn't get any brighter when I checked my training plan and saw the 4-miler that I did yesterday (rescheduled from Friday due to rain) was supposed to be 5. Ugh! I shorted myself a whole mile!

This plan is starting to get confusing :(

So.... I decided to look back at last year's posts from this time and see what I was blogging about. Maybe I'd find some hidden motivation.

March 5, 2010: I had just won Katye's Road ID giveaway! That was a huge moment for me. I remember feeling "accepted" into the blogging world by winning that ID. I wear it on every run and entered about 5 more giveaways after that to win one for my husband. I was unsuccessful. But I did make him use a $2-off coupon we got from a race to order one. Now we're both properly ID'd on our runs. Thanks Katye for making my day :)

March 7, 2010: I was seeking Yoga advice. We had gotten a Wii Fit for Christmas and I had been doing Yoga on the balance board. I posted about purchasing a yoga mat and DVD and trying "real" yoga for the first time. I wasn't very impressed with the DVD. I have since joined a gym and catch a yoga class at least once a month if not more. I know I'll be more consistent in the summer :) I love yoga now! Thanks for the advice bloggy people!

I noticed a much brighter person last year. Someone not beaten down by miles and a training plan. Someone who was still stretching her laces with running and who didn't know how far she could go yet. Though it has been months since I've seen this distance I know I can do it as evidence by these previous posts:

Distance P-frickin-R and Rock N' Roll Chicago

So now I just need to get my shoes on and do this. Pick a route that is long enough and that has bathroom stops. And hope that someone comments on this before I get back :)

Friday, March 4, 2011

Disney Dreams

Reading all the Disney Princess Half recaps have made me so anxious for our Disney trip in June!!!

If you haven't checked them out, here are the links:

Run, Courtney, Run
Long Legs on the Loose #1 #2 #3 (she's very detailed :) and got to be a VIP!!!)
Racing with Babes: race recap and media event recap

I'm more excited than ever! We decided last year that we were going this summer. We never took a honeymoon because of time and money so this is going to be the last "big trip" before children. Husband has never been before. I have been about 4 times. I have already mentally packed for this trip and know exactly which suitcases we're taking and which ones are being checked :) I also also mentally rehearsed my first-time-at-the-Magic-Kingdom-with-my-Husband moment! I'm kind of a big dork. This is going to be awesome!!!

Also! I almost forgot!!!

Run, Zoe, Run is hosting a giveaway! She's giving away a Hydrapak Gel-Bot. It's not a robot :) but it is a super awesome waterbottle that holds an energy gel and water at the same time! Awesome! If I win I might actually starting using gels.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Bandwagon starts with B

(A) Age: 25
(B) Bed Size: Queen (we really need a King. Having a 6'4" Husband doesn't exactly leave me with a lot of space)
(C) Chore You Really Dislike: All of them.....exactly why my house is always messy :(
(D) Dogs: Y'all know Mr. Bentley by now!
(E) Essential Start Your Day Item: Hug from my Husband. I always hug and kiss him before we leave in the morning, I even make him wake me up when he leaves early for wrestling meets. Just so we always have that moment.
(F) Favorite Color: Blue. It fits my personality well.
(G) Gold or Silver? silver
(H) Height: 5'1"
(I) Instruments You Play: None. I have no musical talent.....unless you count my bountiful booty music :)
(J) Job Title: Teacher
(K) Kids: no kids yet
(L) Live: Roscoe, IL
(M) Mom's Name: Juanita
(N) Nicknames: none. I wasn't cool enough for nicknames in school :(
(O) Overnight Hospital Stays? None!!!! (yet)
(P) Pet Peeve: I have waaaaayyyyy to many to list.
(Q) Quote from a Movie:
(R) Right or Left Handed? Right
(S) Siblings: 1 sister
(T) Time You Wake Up? 5:30 during the week, whenever I feel like it on weekends
(U) Underwear: only when I feel like it......HA!
(V) Vegetable You Dislike: brussel sprouts
(W) What Makes You Run Late: thinking in the shower
(X) X-Rays: the only one I can remember is a chest x-ray 2 years ago to see if I had pneumonia....I didn't
(Y) Yummy Food You Make: I am really good at making a lot of stuff :)
(Z) Zoo, Favorite Animal: Tigers

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Sloppy Mess

I had full intentions of photographing this run.

I also had full intentions of wearing gloves and dressing Bentley in his "business suit" too.

But that didn't happen.

Oops!

However, we did complete the 3 miles on a sloppy, soupy, thawed out trail. We were the only people on the trail so I just let Bentley run. He kept stopping to sniff "nature" and then sprinting past me. Tons of snow and soggy sand were flying everywhere!

The run out was rough. Finding all the sloppy spots and dodging the snow-packed areas were tough. I also met the Brown Monster around mile 1.25. I was planning to turn around at 1.5 and because I was in a tree covered area I decided to "take care of business." Bentley was intrigued. I was weird-ed out. And I got sticks in my shorts :( Boo! (TMI I know)

Total distance: 3 miles
Time: 32:18

Only a few more posts to go until my 200th post giveaway!!!